smoke and specialised dyes

Smoke dyes are chemical compounds or pigments used to produce colored smoke in pyrotechnic devices. These dyes are designed to withstand high temperatures and decompose into visible, vibrant smoke when burned.

Composition

Smoke dyes are typically organic dyes that are heat-resistant and can sublimate (transition from solid to gas) without breaking down completely. They are often mixed with a fuel (such as lactose) and an oxidizer (such as potassium chlorate or potassium nitrate) to produce the smoke effect. The combustion process releases the dye particles into the air, creating a dense, colorful smoke cloud.

Common Smoke Dye Colors

Red – Often made with Sudan III or Disperse Red dyes

Blue – Derived from Indigo or similar synthetic dyes

Yellow –  Uses dyes like Auramine O and solvent dyes 

Green – A mix of blue and yellow dyes, sometimes using Solvent Green

Purple – A combination of red and blue dyes

White - 2-Methyl Anthraquinone 

Applications

Military & Law Enforcement – Used for signaling, camouflage, or crowd control

Entertainment & Special Effects – Used in movies, concerts, and photography

Sports & Celebrations – Common in airsoft, paintball, and gender reveal parties

Industrial & Safety Uses – Used in emergency training and fire drills

National air display teams worldwide trust Unicolour for a reason. With our expertise, we precisely match the color palette of any flag and leverage our technical experience and resources to design, test, manufacture, and deliver custom smoke dyes globally. 

Our specialists collaborate closely with clients, discussing every detail and building strong partnerships to enable thorough testing for optimal performance. 

Various factors, including weather conditions, aircraft type, and hardware, can influence results. We are committed to ensuring that our clients achieve flawless displays in the sky every time. 

Unicolour aerobatic smoke dyes are relied upon by air forces globally, thanks to our groundbreaking product innovation and extensive distribution network. 

We provide both ready-made and custom dyes, following a thorough process to ensure the right solution for your aerobatic requirements. 

For bespoke products, we carefully analyse your specifications, develop a unique dye, screen it, and test each formulation on a smoke dye simulation rig before delivering it worldwide.

Expertly Formulated Dyes for Peak Performance